NCLS Research

A. How to order surveys in uncertain times

B. Get your Survey Kit in the post

C. Restrictions? Need to switch plans? No problem!

D. How to distribute online surveys for the 2021 NCLS

How should churches plan for this given changing COVID-related restrictions?

Paper and online surveys:

The 2021 NCLS will have paper survey forms, and also online forms which people can fill out on their device (including at home). Nearly every survey can be completed online if restrictions are in place.

A. How to order surveys in uncertain times

Use the online NCLS order form and order now

Order paper and/or online surveys now.
Order quantities to suit your church as if it was meeting in person.
Choose your mix of paper or online surveys to match how you think attenders would use them if your church was physically meeting.
Translated surveys in multiple languages will also be available in paper and online. A few languages are in paper surveys only.
The cost is the same regardless of which format you order. (N.B. some churches will receive subsidies).
Use the NCLS order form now to indicate the numbers of paper forms and online forms.

B. Get your Survey Kit in the post

Churches will receive a physical Survey Kit prior to survey period

Prior to your survey period your church will receive a Survey Kit in the post.
It will contain printed instructions, Leader Survey and Church Census (these go to all churches).
It will contain any paper surveys you ordered.
Even if you did not order any paper surveys, a small set will be included. This is to ensure no-one is excluded if online access is difficult.

C. Restrictions? Need to switch plans? No problem!

The entire survey can be conducted online if restrictions are in place.

If restrictions come into place in the week(s) you plan to do the survey, easily switch to doing it entirely online.
Even if your church ordered paper forms only, online surveys will be available for your church to use.
You will be able to access as many online forms as you need. You will not run out.
There will be easy instructions to follow in your Survey Kit about how to use the online survey.

D. How to distribute online surveys for the 2021 NCLS

Your Survey Kit will include your Church Code for attenders to enter when they complete the online surveys.

Your church Survey Kit will also contain instructions and text templates for distributing your church’s online survey to attenders. You will be able to use any (or all) of the following methods:

Fill out on a device during the service.
- While the church is meeting (including during a live online service) - provide your Church Code to people as they use their device and they can do the survey together immediately.
- This method is the most reliable way to collect responses.

Distribute your Church Code and the website to church attenders
1. Email your Church Code and the website to your attenders. (Sample text templates are available).
2. Include your Church Code and the website in your church’s newsletters.
3. Post the your Church Code and the website in an online group for the church.
4. Display the your Church Code and the website in a Zoom session or recorded service. (Display Slide template is available).